djj777

My Octavia 7 speed DSG started with the clutch judder and jerky changes about six months ago, gradually developing until it became quite pronounced and unpleasant in traffic jams. I booked it into Alex Lawrie in Liverpool who acknowledged the problem without question or need for a test drive. Initially they tried a software update but phoned to say it hadn't worked. The car was immediately booked in for a clutch pack replacement (at their request) and further software update 2 days later, again no questions asked and I got it back last week. The difference is incredible, the judder has gone and it is much smoother and responsive to drive. Its a shame you're so far from Liverpool because ALex Lawrie are aware of the issue and know how to sort it.

My Octavia 7 speed DSG began with the clutch judder and jerky changes about six months ago, gradually developing until it became quite pronounced and unpleasant in traffic jams, which I experience every day driving to work. I only have 6 months warranty left so I booked it into Alex Lawrie in Liverpool, who acknowledged the problem without question or need for a test drive. Initially they tried a software update but phoned to say it hadn't worked. The car was immediately re-booked in for clutch pack replacement and further software update 2 working days later, again no questions asked, and I got it back yesterday. The difference is incredible. No judder, smoother take off from rest, more instant response to the throttle and seamless gear changes. I can only suggest to people with the same issues to try this and if you're near Liverpool, the Alex Lawrie guys seem to know what they are doing

I have an octavia tdi with the 7 speed dsg gearbox. Developed a clutch judder at about 30,000 miles similar to others on this site. Only 6 months on the warranty so took it to alex lawrie. They first of all tried a software update but phoned to say it hadn't worked and a new clutch pack was needed. No questions asked, it was booked back in two working days later, initially for a day, but an extra day was needed. A courtesy car was immediately arranged to get me home and the job was finished today. What a difference to the drive! It is now back to its best. I was really impressed with the service from Kris at service reception and to the techs who have done a brilliant job. Thoroughly recommended and if you have the dsg judder issue they know what they are doing!

A rattle from the A pillar and passenger side air vent will sound familiar to a number of Octavia II owners. I was hoping they would have sorted that out on the new one

Just had my second service done at 28000 miles. Price quoted of £249 was the price I paid. Arranged a courtesy car (fabia monte carlo- cracking car but shame about the dash rattles at only 3000 miles!). Was greeted by a sales guy on entering the showroom at 8.30am and as usual the service staff were excellent. Rang me at work to say the service was done. On collecting my car the lady at the service desk was very friendly and efficient. She clearly knew her stuff and arranged for the car (which had been cleaned) to be brought to the showroom door for me. A small thing but I think things like that count. Overall I can only recommend these guys. Best dealers of any make of car I have owned.

I think that's a little unfair. The standard Octavia recently won a group test with five stars and was roundly praised. This month an Octy estate wins a test against a Toyota again with five stars and the Yeti comes second out of four in an SUV test and is still recommended.

I had a similar rattle/buzz from the glove box/A pillar area intermittantly. I tried all the solutions on here but it never disappeared. One day out of desperation I began tapping around underneath the car (FL 2011 model). On both sides running from the front wheearch back are two long metal covers protecting the gubbins underneath the car. When I tapped these I found they rattled like hell. Turns out they are great collectors of small pieces of grit and stone which collect inside and then have nowhere to go. I got my son to bang these covers and sure enough when inside the car the rattle appears to come from the A pillar/front corners of the car. Due to a severe lack of any mechanical ability I was not willing to attempt to remove the covers but eventually came up with another solution. I parked on a steep slope facing uphill and banged the plates from the front. All the grit bounces to the back and then out of the end of the covers. You can even reach in and collect it as there's a small lip at the end just in front of the rear wheel (porbably how it gets in there in the first place). There was a hell of a lot in mine. Sure enough I have had no rattles for a few weeks now. I know it sounds crazy but I started on the premise that the rattle doesn't always come from the area you think and if you give it a go it may work for you too.

Totally agree with the above comments. I've done 17000 miles in 10 months and I love the car. Its my first automatic and I wouldn't willingly go back to manual. The DSG box is brilliant in my opinion. Seemless changes and acceleration, more than enough power for real world motoring from the 1.6tdi and I too get 55mpg or more on my 50 mile motorway/city commute. As the poster said above, drive it smoothly and you don't notice the changes, drive it quick and the rev counter flicks down between changes in a split second. I've read road tests of this engine in manual form where the testers complain of the gear ratios hampering rapid progress but this simply isn't an issue in the DSG. 95% of the time you are in the right gear for whatever you want to do and shifting to sport mode (if you know you're going to need a bit of power) removes any kick down delay. Its basically an effortless, quiet, smooth car. Hope this helps!

DSG. Absolutely brilliant.

Mine does the same, usually when cold on the first speed bump on the estate. After that it quietens down and I don't notice it. Chosen to ignore it so far.

Bought my car from them in June. Friendly, courteous service from the sales staff and apart from having to chase the log book couldn't fault them. Just had my 10,000 mile service done and again all the staff were friendly and helpful and everything was handled efficiently. Courtesy car was organised and paid pre-agreed price of £129.

I got a new 1.6tdi dsg in June and have done 10,000 miles now. Got to agree with your comments on the dsg. Its brilliant in my view, especially from standstill at lights. Few ordinary cars neither expect it nor can keep up with it. In answer to your question, I just drive it to enjoy it, giving it plenty of welly whenever I can because it seems to thrive on it. I do a 55 mile daily commute, being a mixture of motoway and city and get 50 mpg regularly. Just done a 450 round day trip to Basinstoke for a meeting, comprising a fast run home up the M40/M42/M6 toll followed by a long stop start slog up the M6 home and the computer showed (probably slightly optimistically I know) 61 mpg for the trip. So my advice is don't baby it to get the best MPG. Enjoy it, give it some beans (keeps the innards and the DPF happier) and it will reward you with a bit of fun and good mpg!

Yep, mine's just the same. In the mornings I have a clear run to the M62 but apart from the normal initial cold start rattle its fine. Runs smoothly and quietly. Its at night when I'm out of the car park into a queue that it occasionally does it. Guess I'll have to live with it and see if it "develops" in dealerspeak.

Just going back to the OP's list of problems my 2011 Octavia 1.6tdi has had the same cold start rattle and hesitation from new when you hit traffic from cold, which I do every night from work unfortuantely. The problem is that its occurs irregularly, some night's its fine, others it will be rattly and hestitate. Disappears however as soon as the temp gauge hits normal. Been back to the dealer but he was unable to replicate the fault and no fault codes were showing. Thought it might be tied into when its thinking of doing a regen but can't be sure. Interesting to see I'm not alone anyway!

Hi. I too have just got the same car but mine is a dsg. I have noticed what sounds like a similar noise on acceleration through the gears. Only seems to do it when the car has been on a run and has been stood for a while but is still warm. Its intermittant though and i too am loathe to go back to the dealer. I thought gearbox too but as it doesnt do it all the time i'm not sure. Does yours do it all the time and from cold?